Telangana row: Shutdown in Seemandhra on September 24 to oppose Andhra Pradesh bifurcation

Hyderabad: Samikya Andhra Parirakshana Vedika, a front comprising government employees and other groups opposing Andhra Pradesh's division, has called for a shutdown in Seemandhra on September 24 to oppose the Congress' decision to bifurcate the state.

The Vedika met in Hyderabad today and decided to intensify the ongoing agitation in Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra).

Even as the protests in 13 districts of Seemandhra continued for the 48th day, Vedika announced agitation program from September 19 to 30.

Vedika president P Ashok Babu told reporters that electricity supply will be stopped in Seemandhra from 6 pm to 8 pm on September 21. Private educational institutions will remain closed from September 23 to September 30. Private buses will go off the roads on September 25 to 26.

The Vedika also called for laying siege to the central government offices and banks on September 27 and 28. Babu said the protests would continue till Congress takes back its decision to carve out separate Telangana state.

Over six lakh government employees and teachers are continuing their strike for more than a month, paralyzing the administration in Seemandhra. Buses of state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) were also off the roads since August 13.

Activists of political parties, employees, students, women and people from other sections of society were continuing protests on streets.

They took out rallies, formed human chains and laid siege to the houses of central and state ministers, MPs and state legislators demanding their resignations in support of united Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile, state ministers and legislators from Seemandhra plan to undertake 48-hour hunger strike in Hyderabad to oppose state's bifurcation. Primary Education Minister S Sailajanth told reporters that a final decision would be taken at a meeting of all Congress leaders from Seemandhra.

Sailajanth, who is convenor of the Seemandhra ministers' forum, said they were continuing as ministers and legislators to defeat Telangana bill whenever it is introduced in the assembly.